Many homeowners are cutting back on house insurance, which may leave them open to financial losses should they get burgled, it is claimed.

Figures from uSwitch.com show 18 per cent of households are not protected by home insurance policies, leaving £154 billion worth of valuables vulnerable to theft.

"With recent crime figures revealing domestic burglaries to be on the up, as has proven the historic norm in a recessionary climate, consumers are running the gauntlet by putting themselves increasingly at risk simply to make a short-term saving," says Mark Monteiro, insurance advisor at uSwitch.com.

He adds that burglaries often have long-term financial implications, meaning some people may have to resort to debt management to help with the costs.

Although not a legal requirement, it should be seen as a necessity to have contents insurance in place, the expert adds, as the results could otherwise be far more devastating.

Earlier this week, uSwitch.com revealed many businesses were wasting money by not having the right energy policy to suit their needs.

It said that 77 per cent of businesses believe switching would save them money, although only 43 per cent have done so.